Liu Baihu never expected to be threatened, and by a mere girl at that. If not for He Sheng guarding Zhan Feiyu, Liu Baihu would have certainly slain her with a single stroke.
"Those who dare threaten me find the grass on their graves already knee-high," Liu Baihu slammed his military saber onto the bedside, his gaze fixed menacingly on Zhan Feiyu, his face contorted with ferocity. "An eye for an eye, and I won't be at a loss! As for you, hah, carrying the weight of a life, I wish you a bright future!"
Zhan Feiyu looked at the frenzied Liu Baihu in surprise. When the common people have nothing to fear, why should they be intimidated by death? She hadn't expected to become a ruthless killer herself one day.
"Kill me if you must, and in eighteen years, I shall be a hero again!" a furious roar erupted. Liu Baihu grinned savagely, truly fearless of death.
Zhan Feiyu knew of the Liu family's situation as imperial merchants, though she hadn't investigated deeply. The current Liu family head had one daughter and two sons. To everyone's astonishment, it wasn't Liu Baihu or his elder brother who managed the Liu family's business, but their elder sister, Liu Heyu.
Even as the eldest daughter, no one in the Great Qing Dynasty would allow a woman to inherit a family business. Liu Hefeng joined the army at sixteen and later arrived at the Fengzhou Garrison. His elder brother, Liu Hejin, was a true dandy, frequenting pleasure houses daily.
The bedroom was silent. Zhan Feiyu pondered, her brow furrowed. No one wishes to die if they can live. The Liu family, as imperial merchants, possessed wealth rivaling the nation. The northern prefectures of Jiangnan Dao—Xuzhou, Anhuai, and Anfeng—were all Liu family territories.
Liu Hefeng's violent temper and fearless madness could only stem from his childhood.
The silent Zhan Feiyu spoke again. Illuminated by the candlelight, her fair, round face was bathed in a soft glow. "Liu Baihu, are you willing? To die like this, while the enemy who tormented you for so many years lives well..."
"Shut up!" a furious roar suddenly erupted. Liu Baihu's face twisted into a ferocious grimace, the veins on his neck bulging, his teeth grinding audibly.
He Sheng immediately became vigilant, worried that the enraged Liu Baihu might lash out and kill.
"I didn't intend to reopen old wounds," Zhan Feiyu apologized, then continued with a solemn expression, "I only wish for Liu Baihu to consider another condition. If Qi Heng returns safely, shall I avenge you?"
The anger had not yet subsided, but Liu Baihu seemed to have calmed slightly.
He Sheng couldn't help but glance at Zhan Feiyu. He had investigated the Liu family's situation as imperial merchants and found no mention of Liu Baihu's enemy. Yet, the young lady knew, even using it to negotiate with Liu Baihu.
"Trade the life of the Liu family head for Qi Heng's safety!" a clear voice broke the silence. Zhan Feiyu saw Liu Baihu's expression change dramatically and knew she had guessed correctly.
Given the Liu family's wealth and power, whoever had harmed the young Liu Baihu and remained unforgotten for so many years could only be the head of the Liu family.
A happy childhood heals a lifetime; an unhappy childhood requires a lifetime to heal.
After a long pause, Liu Baihu burst into laughter, his hair falling loose. His face remained as wild and violent as ever. "Good, I agree. Qi Heng will return safely. Remember your promise to me."
"Though I am no gentleman, my word is my bond," Zhan Feiyu declared, then rose and left with He Sheng.
It was already the hour of Chou (1 AM-3 AM) when they returned to the Qi family's villa. Everyone else was asleep. However, He Nuan had been waiting in the courtyard until He Sheng and Zhan Feiyu returned by scaling the wall.
He Nuan hurried over, "Miss."
"A'Nuan, we're back. Don't worry, Qi Heng will be back soon," Zhan Feiyu said with a squinting smile as she walked towards the house. "I'll write a letter to my teacher and elder brother before I sleep."
A day and a night later, Scholar Gu, having received the secret letter, rubbed his temples and looked at the butler waiting by his side. "My disciples serve me when I have matters to attend to, yet I spend my days cleaning up this girl's messes. It seems I haven't assigned enough homework, or she wouldn't be causing such a stir every time she goes out."
"The capable are often burdened, and Miss is still young," the butler said respectfully, feigning ignorance of his master's proud expression. In a way, being able to stir up trouble was also a skill.
Zhan Feiyu's plea for help was written simply and directly, essentially: Teacher, I've been bullied in Fengzhou. These families in Fengzhou are too hateful; they bully the young and the many bully the few!
The little胖子 Qi Heng was captured, and the garrison and yamen were dragging their feet. To avoid being haunted by Qi Heng's vengeful spirit for the rest of my life, I had no choice but to deal with the tiger, trading one life for another to rescue the innocent Qi Heng.
Of course, the root cause of this was the little胖子's soft heart. If he hadn't sent He Sheng to rescue Qi Yan, none of this would have happened. But it was too late for regrets.
Teacher, as the saying goes, no merchant is not cunning! The Liu family head is likely no good person either, so trading the life of a cunning merchant for the life of a future pillar of the court is surely a worthwhile deal.
Teacher, please rest assured, I will find evidence of the Liu family head's crimes and bring him to justice. I will absolutely not engage in private deals of trading lives for lives. I am still that diligent and studious good child.
Yin Wuyan's letter arrived two hours earlier than Scholar Gu's. Of course, the letter contained more apologies: Elder brother, I've caused you trouble again. In the future, whenever you need my Zhan Xiaoyu, I will go through fire and water for you, without hesitation...
After filling three pages with declarations of loyalty, Zhan Feiyu finally reached the重点 at the end of the fourth page: Elder brother, for my good and sensible behavior, please bend the law a little and reveal some inside secrets about the imperial merchant Liu family that outsiders don't know.
...
Although Fengzhou was not a large place, being located in Jiangnan, it naturally had its specialty cuisine. Zhou Bazhen was Fengzhou's most famous specialty. Legend had it that the Zhou family's ancestor was a royal chef, which led to Zhou's business being so popular that one couldn't get it without queuing up in the morning.
In the main hall, Ming San and Zhu Changyun looked at Zhan Feiyu with confusion. They thought Xiaoyu had come out early to find a way to search for Qi Heng, but instead, she had brought them to Zhou's.
"Two portions of Chun'ao (rice with meat sauce), two portions of Chunmu (yellow rice with meat sauce), Pao Tun (braised, roasted, fried, stewed suckling pig), Pao Zang (braised, roasted, fried, stewed lamb), Dao Zhen (grilled beef, lamb, deer tenderloin), Zi Zhen (beef and mutton in wine and sugar), Ao Zhen (similar to five-spice dried beef), and one portion of Gan Liao (liao)," Zhan Feiyu quickly recited the dish names to the waiter. "And bring another portion when we're almost done eating."
"Certainly, esteemed guests, please wait a moment." The waiter greeted them eagerly, though he was somewhat surprised that a young girl was ordering for three grown men.
"Are we really here to eat?" Ming San stopped fanning himself and stared blankly at Zhan Feiyu. Suddenly, he seemed to understand something and became excited. "Did Liu Baihu agree to release Qi Heng?"
Before, when Zhan Feiyu said she was going to talk to Liu Baihu, Ming San and Zhu Changyun both believed Zhan Feiyu would return empty-handed. Outsiders might not know, but the people of Fengzhou were well aware of Liu Baihu's violent, cruel, and ruthless nature.
The reason Zhang Changsong and others had kidnapped Qi Heng was to hand him over to Liu Baihu to vent his anger. Whether he was killed or tortured didn't matter as long as Liu Baihu was appeased. Otherwise, with Liu Baihu's madness, he could certainly stir up bloody storms in Fengzhou, and these Fengzhou families would be the ones to suffer his wrath.
Zhan Feiyu smiled enigmatically, but her gaze fell upon a few people entering the doorway, and she couldn't help but be startled. It truly was a narrow path for enemies.
"Young Master Chai, please come in," Zhang Changsong called out loudly.
Walking alongside Chai Yi was Qiu Dingsi, with two women following behind them. The remaining seven or eight aristocratic youths walked at the very back. They didn't know Chai Yi's identity, but the fact that Qiu Dingsi had personally come to Zhou's to welcome him suggested he was of considerable standing.
Chai Yi, shedding the low-key demeanor he had in Nanxuan Prefecture, wore a luxurious brocade robe and a jade crown. Coupled with his handsome appearance, his bearing was undeniably that of someone from an aristocratic family.
"Miss Zhan?" Chai Yi, also spotting Zhan Feiyu, smiled as if seeing an old friend. "Meeting an acquaintance in a foreign land, are Miss Zhan and Young Master San doing well?"
Uh...
The aristocratic youths of Fengzhou were stunned. They had seen Zhan Feiyu at the medical clinic before. Seeing Chai Yi stride over to greet her, they exchanged bewildered glances. What should they do now?
Qiu Dingsi and Zhang Changsong remained expressionless and also walked towards Zhan Feiyu's table. The rest followed suit.
Zhan Feiyu stood up and returned the greeting. "I heard Young Master Chai went to the border with Master Chen for business. I didn't expect to meet you in Fengzhou. Does Young Master Chai intend to open a shop here?"
Merchants? Upon hearing Zhan Feiyu's words, the Fengzhou aristocratic youths were even more dumbfounded. Merchants who could command their respect and even flattery were at least of Liu Baihu's status. While the Liu family was a merchant family, they were local powers in Xuzhou, Anhuai, and Anfeng prefectures, with connections in the imperial court and military. They had never heard of Young Master Chai, meaning his business was not very large. Thinking this, they couldn't help but look at Qiu Dingsi and Zhang Changsong, wondering if these two had been deceived by someone named Chai.
"Miss Zhan can still tour Fengzhou with the prefectural examination imminent. It's not surprising that I've come to Fengzhou," Chai Yi chuckled loudly, then changed the subject. "I saw the constables searching house by house earlier. I heard young scholar Qi is missing. Miss Zhan still has the mood to visit Zhou's?"
Zhang Changsong sneered, his hostility towards Zhan Feiyu undisguised. "The people regard food as their heaven. The missing one is from the Qi family, and it is the Qi family who should be anxious. It's a pity that young scholar Qi's whereabouts are unknown; perhaps his head has already been separated from his body."
"Earlier, at Juwenzhai, a master blocked He Sheng," Zhan Feiyu ignored Zhang Changsong's taunts, her dark eyes fixed on Chai Yi. "It's normal for the Chen family to have such a master. Has Young Master Chai not brought him out today? Or perhaps A'Sheng could spar with him again."
Hearing this, the Fengzhou aristocratic youths finally understood. The Chen family, whom Zhan Feiyu was opposing, could only be the maternal family of the First Prince. Chai Yi was from the Chen family, which explained why Young Master Qiu and Young Master Zhang treated him as an honored guest.
Chai Yi glanced at Ming San and the others discreetly, his expression showing no trace of worry. Did they truly not care about Qi Heng's life or death? Composing himself, Chai Yi laughed loudly. Compared to Zhan Feiyu's aggressive demeanor, his attitude remained amicable. "Miss Zhan jokes. I only arrived in Fengzhou this morning. As for the disappearance of young scholar Qi, I believe Miss Zhan is merely worried and flustered."
"To make groundless accusations without evidence, can you still be considered a scholar?" Zhang Changsong looked down at Zhan Feiyu. If the words "examination fraud" were not so dangerous, Zhang Changsong would have definitely declared Zhan Feiyu, the top scholar of the prefectural examination, to be all show and no substance.
Still ignoring Zhang Changsong, Zhan Feiyu looked at Chai Yi and smiled sweetly. "Fengzhou is not peaceful. After Qi Heng's disappearance, Lord Qi searched Fengzhou top to bottom but couldn't find him. Young Master Chai should also be careful; perhaps you'll be kidnapped by villains if you're not paying attention."
This was blatant threat, wasn't it? Everyone looked at the smiling Zhan Feiyu. She was clearly a delicate and adorable young girl, but why did they feel a chill spreading from their feet to their entire bodies, making them feel uneasy?
Chai Yi frowned, regretting appearing before Zhan Feiyu. She could send He Sheng to protect Qi Heng, so she must have other experts protecting her. If Zhan Feiyu were to act ruthlessly against him...
Ignored repeatedly, Zhang Changsong's face turned ashen. However, upon hearing Zhan Feiyu threaten Chai Yi, his anger was suppressed. He finally remembered Zhan Feiyu's ruthlessness; this dead girl was definitely a killer who wouldn't blink.
Zhan Feiyu chuckled. "Young Master Chai need not worry. You are said to be Master Chen's advisor, but in reality, you are merely summoned and dismissed... just a servant. You're not valuable enough to be kidnapped."
Everyone looked at the smiling Zhan Feiyu. They strongly suspected that the pause she made was not to say that Young Master Chai was a servant, but that he was a dog by Master Chen's side... Even Chai Yi, who could endure what ordinary people couldn't, was angered by Zhan Feiyu's dismissive attitude, his face darkening. He laughed in fury. "It seems Miss Zhan is in a very good mood, likely having found Qi Heng's whereabouts. However, even if you find him, aren't you worried that Qi Heng might accidentally be disfigured, or lose a hand, thus ruining his future?"
"Young Master Chai worries too much. I am not familiar with Fengzhou, so before I left, I visited Liu Baihu. He has already agreed to help me find Qi Heng, and Liu Baihu also guaranteed that Qi Heng will not lose a single hair." Zhan Feiyu replied crisply, her spirits soaring. She was just that confident, that smug.
Upon hearing this, Chai Yi's expression changed abruptly, while the others looked at Zhan Feiyu as if they had seen a ghost. Had she lost her mind? If Liu Baihu wasn't bedridden with a broken leg, he would have personally flayed Qi Heng to vent his anger! Zhan Feiyu studied under Scholar Gu, so Liu Baihu was wary; otherwise, she would have been the first to be flayed. Looking at Fengzhou, if Zhan Feiyu said Prefect Meng would help, or Commander Qiu would help, everyone present would believe it. But to say Liu Baihu would help? They would sooner believe it would rain red. Who had ever seen a tiger eat grass?
"Young Master Chai doesn't believe me?" Zhan Feiyu looked at the crowd whose expressions were hard to describe and couldn't help but laugh. "Why don't we make a bet?"
In an instant, Zhan Feiyu appeared like a cunning wolf-grandmother tricking children, smiling with extreme slyness and craftiness. "A small bet is for fun, and everyone can participate. I came to Fengzhou to search for ancient books and rare editions. How about each person bets ten rare books? If I can't find them, you can substitute them with ten skilled craftsmen. Of course, if that's not possible, then ten thousand taels of silver will suffice."
Chai Yi and Zhang Changsong immediately recalled Zhan Feiyu's previous bet with the fat merchant Chen, which directly bankrupted the Chen family's rice shop. The first year required delivering one hundred thousand piculs of rice to the border, decreasing annually until the tenth year.